About The Art

Mateo is Colombian-American, and a resident of Orlando, Florida, of many years. His formal training began in Medellin, Colombia, under Debora Arango (1907-2005), the provocateuse painter and ceramist known for her politically charged portrayals and scandalous nude female figures. Ten years ago she was chosen as the image for the new Colombian’s 2,000 peso bill.

Blanco studied at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, and two of his works are now in the permanent collection of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. He is a gifted artist with many talents besides being a painter, he is also a goldsmith jeweler and opera singer. Several years ago, he sang during the celebration of President George H.W. Bush’s birthday.

Mateo is known for his unusual materials to create his works of art, displayed in galleries all over the world. He has always been fascinated with the glamorous Hollywood stars and the heroic or funny characters in comics. He says, “When creating their portraits, I don’t just think of how they look, but the deeper meaning, how people would feel when they see or purchase my art, as if they were part of a story.”

For our exhibition, Blanco has painted several versions of the flag of the United States and explains why: “All of us have different colors inside or outside. We can change a color or a shape, but the magic and essence remain intact. It doesn’t matter what color or shape; it will always be recognizable. We have different colors of skin, hair, or even spirit, but all of us are Americans; the external differences hide what we have inside. I cherish my Colombian roots, but I love deeply my new homeland. It’s our differences what makes the United States so powerful, unique, and rich. These paintings are my song to The Star-Spangled Banner, and my personal homage to the American coat of arms above the bald eagle, E pluribus unum.”

Yes, all of us are one. Like the many versions of the American flag, we cannot change the essence: the elements, the symbol, and its unique beauty and power.

Mateo’s exhibition is the inaugural exhibition in the new Segall Print Gallery in Butler North, named to honor Robert Segall.

Meet-the-Artist from 1-3pm on September 29, 2024.

CATEGORIES: Exhibition

DATE: September 29, 2024 - December 1, 2024

LOCATION: Segall Print Gallery, Butler North

RECEPTION: September 29th, 2024 1:00pm—3:00pm